Study proves: Class 1 medical compression stockings reduce symptoms of uncomplicated varicose veins
Heaviness, pain, swelling, and throbbing are among the main symptoms of uncomplicated varicose veins. These symptoms improve even with regular wear of Class 1 compression stockings. This is the conclusion of a recent study conducted under the direction of Professor Dr. Markus Stücker, Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, St. Josef Hospital, Catholic Hospital Bochum.*
The study was carried out between January 2019 and September 2022. It was carried out with the support of eurocom e. V. (European Manufacturers Federation for Compression Therapy and Orthopedic Devices). The tasks of the Scientific Advisory Board of eurocom e.V. include, among other things, the initiation, support and further development of studies and guidelines (www.eurocom-info.de).
Patients with uncomplicated varicose veins between the ages of 18 and 75 took part. The study participants were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group wore medical compression stockings in the second to fifth week of the study, the control group did not wear medical compression stockings throughout the entire study period. All participants documented their symptoms daily in a digital diary. The intervention group wore mediven plus knee or thigh stockings of the lowest medical compression class 1 RAL.
From the results of wearing medical compression stockings of compression class 1 during the four-week observation period
- The occurrence of symptoms was reduced by almost 30 percent.
- The frequency of pain decreased by almost 40 percent.
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The frequency of swelling in the legs and feet decreased by over 40 percent.
The study results underline the importance and benefit of compression therapy for venous diseases. They show that just wearing class 1 RAL medical compression stockings leads to an improvement in symptoms typical of varicose veins. Wearing compression regularly reduces symptoms. In the patients in the control group without medical compression stockings, however, the frequency of pain (almost 12 percent) and leg swelling (almost 3 percent) actually increased during the study period.
Bayreuth: 12.05.2025
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